Tanglewood Elementary School

Student Statement of Understanding

I have read all of the information in the student/parent planner and I am aware of the school’s policies, procedures and behavioral expectations. I understand that:

• There are positive consequences for adherence to, and negative consequences for violations of the Lee County Code of Student Conduct and the Tanglewood Elementary School Conduct Plan and Dress Code.

• I am responsible for my behavior and I am expected to treat others and myself with dignity and respect.

• If I am involved in an argument or disagreement, I will inform my teacher, an administrator, or an adult in order to resolve the conflict without a physical confrontation. 

• If I choose to exhibit disrespect or insubordination including: profanity, gestures, religious or racial slurs towards an adult or student on campus, then I am subject to disciplinary action. 

• If my behavior results in disciplinary action, then it is my responsibility to inform my parent or guardian of the incident and consequences, and to provide them with the copies of the referrals.

• I am expected to adhere to Tanglewood SOAR expectations while on campus or on school related field trips. 

School Information- Información de la Escuela

Important Numbers/Websites- Numeros Importantes/ paginas web

Discipline Policy 

Dress Code Policy

Attendance

In order for a student to benefit from classroom instruction, regular school attendance is essential. Lee County School Board Policy includes the following rules:

1. Legitimate excuses for absence are: illness, the death of someone in the family, religious holidays of a child’s own religion, a court date or a justifiable reason approved by the principal. 

2. A parent should call the school each day a child is absent (239-936-0891). When a child returns to school, a written note should be sent specifying the date(s) and the reason(s) for the absence.

3. The responsibility for school attendance of children rests primarily with the parent/guardian. 

Good school attendance is an important part of your student’s success. At Tanglewood, we expect our students to be at school and arrive on-time every day. If your student is absent, it is your responsibility to contact the front office to provide a reason for the absence. 

Absences will typically be excused for illness, medical appointments, or family emergencies. Please provide an excuse note upon your student’s return to school. 

Students with perfect attendance for the semester and/or entire year will be recognized at our Semester Awards Ceremonies. 

Additionally, it is important that your child be on time every day. School opens at 8:10, and we strongly encourage you to bring your child to school between 8:10 and 8:30. This will provide your child with extra teacher support, organizational time and just a great start to the day. Students are considered tardy for school if they are not in their seats in the classroom by the 8:40 bell. 

Siblings will be permitted to walk younger siblings to class for the month of August only. Starting September 1st, students will need to report directly to the cafeteria if they choose to eat breakfast or to their classroom.

Independent Reading

A lifelong habit of independent reading is encouraged for all students. All students participate in independent reading. All students are expected to spend 20-30 minutes reading each evening. Students may also have opportunities during the day for independent reading. Each child has a reading goal, which will be tracked. Parents should check student progress at the end of each week, discuss and help students plan to continue or improve the following week. Students will be encouraged to read books from home, the Lee County Library system, and AR books from school. 

Teacher Conference

If you ever have any questions about your child’s progress or any reports, please do not hesitate to call your child’s teacher, so that they may clarify and assist you. Please contact the teacher for a parent/teacher conference. Communication between home and school is very important. 

Report Cards/ Interim Reports

A report on the progress of each student is issued every nine weeks. An interim report will be available in focus halfway through each grading period. These reports include information on the child’s skill development, work habits and personal development. 

Before & After School Program

Tanglewood provides a before and after school program from 6:30-8:10 a.m. and 3:10-6:00 p.m. Children may enroll at any time during the school year, if space is available. Fees must be paid no later than the Friday before the next week of aftercare. Enrollment is based on a lottery system.

The Before/After School Program provides supervised homework, outside play and inside activities with adult supervision. The program runs during the basic school calendar year and is in session during student school days only. Aftercare is not provided on early release days. The cost of the program is:

• $25.00 Registration fee per student/ $40.00 per family (Non refundable)

• $20.00 per week flat rate per student for morning care (6:30 a.m. until school begins)

• $50.00 per week flat rate per student for after school care (3:10-6:00 p.m.)

A fee of $1.00 per minute will be charged after 6:00 p.m. 

Change in Transportation

A change in the method of a student’s transportation requires written notification and approval; otherwise, the child will be transported home in his/her usual manner. Please send a planner note containing a contact phone number for verification. NO CHANGES FOR DISMISSAL MAY OCCUR AFTER 2:30. Please do not call the office to request a change in transportation for your child. In case of emergency, please fax a copy of your driver’s license and a written request to (239)939-0411. Please follow up with a phone call to (239) 936-0891 to confirm that we have received your fax request. Emergency changes must be approved by administration. 

Bus Transportation

Riding the bus to school is a privilege. For safety reasons, it is absolutely necessary for each and every student to obey their bus driver. When a student cannot follow the rules on the bus, the Administration has the right to suspend him/her from riding the bus. It then becomes the obligation of the parent to transport the student to and from school. 

The Bus Rules are:

1. The driver is in full charge of the bus and students must obey the driver.

2. Students shall sit in their assigned seats at all times, with their head and arms inside the bus.

3. Eating, drinking, chewing gum and candy are not allowed on the bus.

4. Anything that interferes with student safety is not allowed. This includes: fighting, profanity, abusive language, toy guns and knives, large or sharp objects, fireworks, balloons, ball bats, radios, tape players, animals, glass containers, etc.

5. Students bringing toy guns or knives on the bus will be subject to suspension. 

6. Each student will be given a required Bar Coded badge with the ability to track the student boarding and exiting the bus. If this badge is lost or stolen, a fee of $5.00 will be charged to replace this.  

7. Students MUST have the Bar Coded badge ot gain access to the school bus. 

School policy for bus referrals is as follows:

• 1st Referral: The student will receive a verbal warning and counseling on the bus rules.

• 2nd Referral: The student will receive a written reprimand and the parents will be notified. 

• 3rd Referral: The student will be suspended from riding the bus for one day and the parents will be notified.

• Subsequent Referrals: The student will be suspended from riding the bus one additional day for each subsequent referral, and the parent will be notified by mail. 

Parent Drop-Off/ Pick-Up

The right circular drive is the designated loop for parent pick up and drop off. Students may be dropped off beginning at 8:15 a.m. An adult will be present to assist. If there is no adult, please allow your child to exit the vehicle on the right-hand side. If you must leave your car, please park in the parking lot. The bus ramp is strictly for buses. The drive will be closed at 8:35 a.m. If you arrive between 8:35-8:40, you will need to have your child exit your car and walk to the front office. Your child will not be marked tardy if they arrive before 8:40. After this time, please park in the parking lot and walk your child to the office.  After 3:15, students attending the Owl’s Nest After School Program may be picked up at the front of the school. 

For the safety of our students, we ask that the following procedures be followed when you transport your child to or from our school.

1. School provided I.D. signs must be displayed on the car dash. These are provided in packets at Open House. Each student is given 2 Parent Pick Up Signs. If any additional or replacement signs are needed a fee of $5.00/2 will be required. If you do not have a school provided ID you will need to show your ID for student release. Students may only be released to registered contacts in FOCUS.

2. Refrain from using your cell phone while in the loop.

3. Pull your vehicle forward as far as possible. 

4. Remain in your car at all times.

5. Move forward carefully.

6. Please follow staff instructions with courtesy. 

If you must buckle your child in, please drive slowly through the loop and pull off to the grassy area, where you can then buckle your child in.

There is NO ADULT supervision before 8:10. Adult supervision is provided at 8:10 a.m. Students should not be dropped off prior to 8:10 a.m. and students need to remain in the vehicles until the bell rings. Students who are not picked up by the time dismissal is over (approx. 3:40) will be charged $1.00 per minute late fee.

Please ensure your child is ready to exit the vehicle.

Your child must exit the vehicle where your car stops.

Students are not allowed to exit from the driver's side.

For the safety of all, PLEASE DO NOT CROSS OVER CONES.

                                                                            Walker Students

Walker students will need to enter and exit through the walker gate, which is located on the west side of the parent pick up loop. If you are a parent/guardian of a kindergarten student, YOU WILL NEED YOUR PARENT PICK UP CARD to have your student released and YOU MUST MEET YOUR CHILD BY THE GATE ENTRANCE. Please bring the parent pick-up sign with you every day as our staff changes often in the afternoon. Your child will not be released if you do not have the card you will need to walk to the front office to pick up your child. First through fifth grade students will be released without a parent/guardian present. 

Open Gate- Weapons Detection System 

OPENGATE® is designed for the automatic screening of people with backpacks and bags for Threat Detection. It will also identify other contraband items that are not allowed on school property. All students and all visitors will be subject to search as they enter a campus during regular school hours. We have found that the following items often set off the Opengate system: large scissors, metal lunch tins, rolling backpacks, umbrellas, eyeglass cases, and mini staplers. Students will need to have their laptops out of their backpacks to pass around the system as they walk through. 

All parents and visitors attending performances and conferences after school will be required to walk through the Opengate system. 

Bike Transportation

Students who ride bikes to school are responsible for bringing their own bike lock. The school is not responsible for bikes left in the bike rack. All students riding bikes must wear bike helmets. 

Data Notebooks

Each student has a Leader in Me data notebook. The data notebook contains quarterly goals written by the student in conjunction with the classroom teacher. The purpose of the data notebook is to teach students to monitor their individual progress and to connect this progress with their report card grades. It also helps the student understand the importance of setting goals and reaching them. These notebooks will be shared with parents and families during student led conferences.

Planners

Students are expected to bring their planners to school each day. Planners are an integral part of their day at Tanglewood. Lost planners can be replaced at a cost of $5.00.

Computer Technology

Students will have opportunities to learn technology skills based on the National Education Technology Standards while learning content area curriculum. Inappropriate use of technology and/or equipment may result in disciplinary action. Please see the Student Network Use Agreement for details. 

Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS)

An appointed team of school specialists meet to discuss the progress of students. This team might include any of the following: principal, assistant principal, guidance counselor, curriculum specialist, classroom teacher and other professionals as needed. Parents are invited and encouraged to attend any of these meetings for their child. 

SAC (School Advisory Council)

This team has representatives from all areas of school: staff groups, parents and community members. This team prepares the School Improvement Plan and will be involved in the implementation and assessment of this plan. 

Sexual Harassment/ Bullying

If any words or actions make you feel uncomfortable or fearful, you need to tell a teacher, the principal, the equity coordinator, or another adult at school.

You may also make a written report. It should be given to a teacher, the principal, a mentor, or the equity coordinator.

Your right to privacy will be respected as much as possible. We take seriously all reports of sexual harassment and harassment based upon race, color, national origin, and disability, and will take all appropriate action to investigate such claims to eliminate that harassment and to discipline any persons found to have engaged in such conduct.

The School District will also take action if anyone tries to intimidate you or take action to harm you because you made such a report. 

Volunteer Program

We invite you to become a part of our volunteer program. You will need to fill out an application to be a volunteer with the front office and provide a copy of your driver’s license to be screened. Contact the volunteer coordinators, Aerin Bland and Gabriella Michelangeli at 239-936-0891. Volunteers need to fill out a new application each year. 

Illness at School

It is important that the clinic knows whom to contact in case of illness or emergency at school. Emergency forms are to be completed during the first few days of school. Please remember to complete a new emergency form should any information on the form change. 

Medication

State law mandates that the following procedures be followed if your child needs medication administered at school:

The clinic is responsible for maintaining and administering all Physician Prescribed OTC (over the counter) medications, emergency medications, temporary and daily prescription medications during school hours. There are THREE things the clinic needs from you:

1. All medications (even tylenol or motrin for occasional headache) must have a completed medication administration form; this is the official physician order. Forms are provided by your healthcare provider or can be obtained from the school nurse. The clinic cannot accept any other prescription forms. Again, the forms are available in the clinic.

If there is a need to change the student’s dosage and/or time of administration, the health care provider must submit a new medication administration form.

2. A parent or guardian must also sign the medication administration form before medication administration can occur. This signature is your acknowledgement of the physician orders and PARENTAL CONSENT for the clinic to administer medication.

3. Medication must be delivered to the school by the parent or guardian. Students MAY NOT transport medications to or from school. 

The medication must be in the original container and include a medication label from the pharmacy (pharmacy will provide a label for free). All OTC medications must be in its original (manufacturer's) packaging and labeled with the students name and dosing instructions.

Your students' medication will be available for field trips. If you provided medication to be kept at school, it will be accessible for administration, if needed, on their field trips. The school nurse will provide training to staff on administration of medications prior to the trip. 

If your student attends aftercare at Tanglewood Elementary and requires medication during aftercare hours (3:10-6:00 p.m.), the parent/guardian must discuss this with administration and the school nurse before medication may be administered. 

A parent or guardian must pick up all medications remaining in the clinic by the last day of school. Medications will not be sent home with students. Any medications not picked up by the last day of school will be discarded according to district policy.

The school nurse, Julissa Gonzalez, is always available to answer any questions you may have regarding medications and your student. 

Breakfast/ Lunch Program Information

Through the Community Eligibility Program, school breakfasts and lunches will be available FREE of charge. Free and reduced meal applications will no longer be required. Additional milk and snacks will be available for a fee. 

Students may prepay for milk/snacks at school with cash or a check or online at https://www.mylunchmoney.com. Checks should be made payable to Tanglewood Elementary. Students may also bring lunch from home. If primary students need to bring money to school, please be sure it is in a secure place and that they give it to their teacher immediately. Students should not be allowed to carry large bills to school for any reason. 

Parents/Guardians may eat lunch with their child if they choose to. You may remain in the cafeteria if seating is available or you may choose to eat in a designated outdoor area (weather permitting). Parents are not allowed to invite other students to eat with their child. 

Please send only plastic bottles to school. In addition, no candy, soda, or gum is permitted. 

We want students to enjoy the lunch time break, so conversation is allowed. However, students are expected to:

1. Speak in soft, conversational tones.

2. Remain seated unless given permission to leave their seat.

3. Respect adults supervising the lunch room.

4. Clean-up after they finish eating. 

If a student chooses to eat breakfast at school, they will need to walk to the cafeteria as soon as they arrive on campus. They may not go to their classroom first and then go to the cafeteria. Students will be instructed to pick up their breakfast, then walk to their classroom to eat. 

General Board Office Correspondence
[email protected]

Samuel Fisher, District 1 (Chair)
Jada Langford Fleming, District 6 (Vice Chair)

Melisa W. Giovannelli, District 2
William F. Ribble, Jr., District 3
Debbie Jordan, District 4
Armor Persons, District 5
Vanessa M. Chaviano, District 7

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